What It Really Looks Like for Moms
Let’s get one thing straight: self-care isn’t always cucumber water and peaceful music. Don’t get us wrong—we’d love a weekend getaway to a resort where someone else makes our bed and hands us a mimosa before noon. But let’s be real: most days, self-care looks a lot less like “spa day” and a lot more like “I locked the bathroom door and scrolled Instagram for seven minutes while the toddler banged on it like the IRS.”
The Myth of Self-Care: Busted
Somewhere along the way, the term “self-care” got hijacked by expensive skincare routines and influencers doing yoga on a cliffside at sunrise. (Where are their children? Who is filming this?!) For moms—especially ones juggling work, kids, laundry piles taller than your emotional capacity—self-care doesn’t need to be luxurious. It just needs to be intentional.
What Self-Care Actually Looks Like
Self-care is setting a boundary and not spiraling into guilt over it. It’s saying “no” to one more thing on the PTA agenda because your capacity is already maxed out. It’s finishing your coffee while it’s hot… even if that means stepping outside for five minutes while chaos unfolds inside. It’s sitting in your car after errands, letting the podcast play, and pretending no one knows where you are. (Because they don’t. And you earned this.)
5 Realistic Self-Care Moves That Take 10 Minutes or Less
The Parking Lot Pause – Stay in your car. No, seriously. Park. Breathe. Scroll. Sip. I have done this a few times… usually from play rehearsal drop off… 🙂
The “Not Right Now” Text – Practice saying something like “Can we do this another time?” without an essay of apologies.
The Door Lock Detour – Bathroom, bedroom, large closet… whatever works for you = temporary escape room. Bonus if you bring a book.
The Tiny Treat Rebellion – Light the fancy candle. Wear the perfume. Use the good mug. For no reason. You’re worth it.
True Story from the Trenches
One of us (not naming names, but it was me) once told my family I was going to take a “long shower” because I just needed space. Did I shower? No. I sat on the floor of my closet, drinking my coffee while playing Candy Crush. And it was glorious. Was it Instagram-worthy? Nope. Did it reset my brain? Absolutely.
So Tell Us…What does real self-care look like in your life? Drop it in the comments or message us on Instagram—we want to hear your “parking lot pause” moments and 10-minute escapes. Let’s redefine self-care together—one imperfect, necessary moment at a time.
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